25.10

Shovel, Coal

1890 Approximate

Minneapolis and St. Louis Railroad. M & St. L Railroad Coal Shovel. Material: wood, metal. Size: 37" x 8 1/2". Description: wooden pole handle extends into a cutout opening at top - "M & St. L R.R." identification carved deeply along handle side - rusted iron scoop riveted to handle at lower end.

Shovels such as this were used to shovel coal into the old locomotive engines. This shovel was the property of the Minneapolis, St. Louis Railroad and was found in a crawl space at the William Dalton house - 312 4th Avenue North West, Waseca, MN. William had two daughters, Helen and Mary. When Mary died, Helen sold the house to Boyd Fuller. When they were remodeling the dining room they found the shovel in a crawl space.